Delivering The Kingdom to God 1 Cor. 15:24

Delivering The Kingdom To God

The kingdom of God is a much debated subject. So many people do not believe that the kingdom of God is present and a reality in the world today. They are searching for a geo-centric kingdom on earth. Twice this was offered to Yeshua (Jesus) and he refused. Once, during his temptation in the wilderness by Satan, who offered him all the kingdoms of the world if he would only bow down and worship him. Jesus refused, Matt. 4:10. The second time occurred after he fed the 5,000 according to John chapter 6. The multitudes attempted to take him by force and make him a king. Jesus again refused, John 6:15.

There were reasons Jesus refused to be made a king on earth. First, the desire to be an earthly king was a rejection of the rule of God. 2 Samuel records that when the people asked for a king like all the nations, they had not rejected Samuel, but God that he should not reign over them., 1 Sam. 8:7-8. This rejection continued in the spirit of Adam who rejected God’s heavenly rule in the garden.

Secondly, Zechariah prophesied Jesus, as the Branch would build the temple of the Lord and that he would be a priest on his throne. Thus, Jesus’ kingdom is a priestly temple. As a result, he could not reign on earth, especially, during the time he was on earth because he would have violated the authority of the Levitical priesthood. He was of the tribe of Judah. Concerning this tribe Moses spoke nothing about priesthood. Therefore, as a Judahite, he could not be king. This is confirmed in Hebrews 7 and 8.

“For he of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar, For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.” (Heb. 7:11-14) “For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law.” (Heb. 8:4). So, the ongoing service of the Levitical priests precluded Jesus from being a priest on earth through the last days of the Old Covenant.

Delivering the Kingdom – Then Comes The End

Some believe “Delivering the kingdom to God means to give up or abdicate the throne. But does delivering the reign of God mean to abdicate the throne? This is largely an Amillennial teaching. They see the word end (telos) in 1 Corinthians 15 as termination, as in the end of time. Yet, the Bible never speaks about the end of time and especially with regard to the kingdom. Rather, the phrase, “time of the end” is used. The two are not equal.

Time of the End

This is a phrase used in Daniel to speak of the consummation of Israel’s Old Covenant and its attendant events. The tribulation of Dan. 12:1 is fulfilled in the time of the end. Jesus applied Daniel’s prophecy to the Jewish invasion by Roman Emperor Titus and the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.. (Matt. 24:21, Lk. 21:20-22. He specifically noted in context the prophecy of Daniel and the abomination of desolation in the standing in the temple. (24:15-18).

When Jesus spoke of the end, he mentioned it in connection with the overthrow of the temple, referring to the “end or consummation of the age, Matt. 24:3. Those who endured to that time, would be saved, 24:13. Next, he said, the gospel had to be preached as a witness to all the nations then the end would come, (v. 14). He places all those events within the time frame of verse 34, which says, “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass till all is fulfilled. The end before that generation passed, confirming the words of Dan. 12:4, that it was the time of the end, not the end of time.

In addition, the following texts all confirm the gospel was preached in all the habitable world before Rome sacked Jerusalem: Rom. 1:5, 8; 10:18, 19; 16:26; Col. 1:6, 23.

Further, Matthew 13:39-40, applies the prophecy of Daniel to the end of the age in which Christians and Jews were in the “house of God” together. This continued according to Galatians 4:21-31 until the Old Covenant and it’s people were cast out, which event again happened at the fall of Jerusalem.

Delivering the Kingdom – Paradidomi

The Greek word for “deliver” is paradidomi. It means, not to abdicate but to deliver over to another. Paul uses it several times in the epistles to the Corinthians. Not once does it mean to abdicate. For starters, Paul urged the Corinthians to keep the traditions just as I delivered (paradidomi) them to you. (1 Cor. 11:2) Did Paul mean that he gave up or abdicated the gospel once he taught the Corinthians? No.

Next, He delivered the teaching and practice regarding the Lord’s Supper. For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered (paradidomi) to you; that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread.” Did Paul abdicate practicing the Lord Supper after passing the tradition on to the saints at Corinth? Such is not plausible or the facts of the case.

Therefore, the word, paradidomi, as used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 does not mean to “give up” or “abdicate”. It is used in the sense of delivering the kingdom or reign of God from which it had fallen under the reign of Satan back to it’s rightful place before God.

Putting Down All Rule Authority and Power

Many are confused over this phrase as well. Does it mean to put down or give up authority to rule in the kingdom? Again, such is not taught in 1 Corinthians. The word “put down” is kartegeo in the Greek. It means to render powerless, to make empty and unmeaning, to bring to an end.

It does not mean to abdicate one’s own power in the context, but to defeat that of another. It means to put down, defeat or destroy the power and of rendering an enemy helpless. Observe the next verse which uses the “explanatory” for (gar). For he must reign till he has put all enemies under His feet.” It is not the power of Christ which is being squelched, but that of his enemies. Compare, Psa. 110:1; Acts 2:35; Eph. 1:21-22; 6:11; Phil. 3:21; Col. 2:15, Heb. 2:8; 1 Pet. 3:19.

Christ would defeat all his enemies, the last of which was death (sin-death) at which time would follow and unending reign of eternal peace.

Delivering The Kingdom Then Shall He Sit

What many have not considered is the contradiction they make the Bible teach when they claim Christ gives up his rule rather than puts down the rule, authority and power of the enemies by defeating them. However, to reason in such manner makes the Bible contradict itself in many ways.

We are clearly told that in Matthew 25:31, when Christ comes in judgment in his kingdom, he would sit upon the throne of his glory, not give up his throne.

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.” (Matt. 25:31).

How is it that Christ is coming to sit on this throne of glory and give it up at the same time. That is an irreconcilable dilemma. Another similar point is raised from the marriage analogy. Jesus’ coming in glory is the time he would greet and marry his bride. That is also the setting of Matthew 25:1-10, Matt. 22:1-8, Ephesians 5:26f, Revelation 19:6-7 and Revelation 21. Prior to his return, Christ is espoused to his bride, the church. 2 Cor. 11:2.

The wedding would be consummated at his coming.

That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Eph. 5;27

So if Christ is to be married at his wedding, why do some teach he is getting a divorce, in giving the kingdom to God? The two positions are diametrically opposed to the other. Christ and his bride remain together. This brings us to the next point. How long will the two be married?

Delivering the Kingdom Without End

The kingdom of God has no end. The following verses all say it would last forever. See 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:14. Each of those texts say Christ would reign forever upon the throne. We have shown above that the only end above was the termination of Old the Covenant.

According to Isaiah 9:6-7, the text says of the increase of his government there would be no end. Christ’s government is the kingdom. If there is no end, his kingdom cannot come to an end? In addition, God gave some very specific time markers for us to know exactly how long Christ’s kingdom would continue. These are found in the Psalms.

The kingdom would continue as long as the sun. “His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed.” (Psa. 72:17. ) Delivering the kingdom does not mean to cease to reign.

“My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David; His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me; It shall be established forever like the moon, even like the faithful witness in the sky.” (Psa. 89:34-37). The kingdom has no end which means there is likewise no end of the sun and moon. Therefore, there is no end of the material world for Christ to relinquish his kingdom.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Heb. 12:28. God’s kingdom cannot be shaken. It cannot be moved. Christ will never cease to reign. He will never give up his name. He has a name which is above every name not only in the Jewish age, but also in the Christian age which has no end.

Delivering the Kingdom in Revelation 22

In the Book of Revelation, according to chapter 11:15-18, the time comes when the nations are judged and the dead raised. This is the time referred to in 1 Cor. 15:26-28 when all the enemies have been defeated. However, the text says “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

What we have here is a clear example and Bible text showing that Christ’s reign continues after the defeat of death. Has he given up the throne? Remember, he would be a priest upon his throne. He along with the Father are the temple of God. (Rev. 21:22).

“And there shall be no more curse but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him…And they shall reign forever and ever, (Rev. 22:3-5). There is no end to the reign of Christ. Delivering the kingdom means to defeat all enemies, returning the reign to God, not to abdicate or give up the throne.